I had the pleasure of attending the Festal Vespers and Divine Liturgy at the ByzanTEEN Rally last Saturday evening. Three things stood out in my mind:
1. Whatever one's personal opinion of the hierarchy of the BCC, what a wonderful show of support for our young people to have all four of our hierarchs there.
2. How well behaved the young people were before and during the Liturgy and how many of them reverenced the icon on the tetrapod by kissing it or bowing.
3. And most of all... how great the young choir was. They were unbelievable... just like they had practiced together for years. Led by three cantors from Epiphany BCC in Annadale, Va., they truly did a magnificent job.
I hope the entire rally went as well as proved to be and moving for the participants as the Liturgy was for me.
Two BIG thumbs up!
I had the privilege of being at the rally as chaperone to the 12 teens from Southern Arizona. It truly was an awesome weekend. The Tony Melendez concert had some of us adults on our feet too with tears streaming down our faces. My group and I can't wait for Chicago in 2008!